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How Canadian and U.S. Credit Cards Stack Up

Your Canadian credit card6 might save you in Canada. But once you leave, it’ll cost you.

See why it’s better to leave your Canadian credit card behind when you leave the country.

Apply for a cross-border banking bundle to get a no annual fee20 Visa‡ Signature Black credit card and we’ll waive the annual fee on your Direct Checking account for the first year.29 Offer ends October 31, 2025.

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Visa‡ Signature Black

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Visa‡ Signature Black Plus

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Comparing Cards Table
Visa‡ Signature Black Visa‡ Signature Black Plus Most rewards-based travel cards (not U.S. dollar) Typical U.S. dollar-based credit cards (Canada)
Ideal for Regular U.S. travelers or residents looking for an easy way to make U.S. purchases, earn rewards points and avoid foreign transaction fees. Frequent international travelers who don’t want to pay foreign transaction fees anywhere in the world. Canadians who typically don’t travel to the U.S. They are focused on earning rewards points for Canadian or overseas travel. Occasional travelers to the U.S. who sometimes use a credit card for U.S. purchases and want to avoid the cost of foreign exchange.
Rewards points6 1 point per $1 spent 1.5 points per $1 spent 1– 2 points per $1 spent 1 point per $1 spent
Cash back rate24 1% 1.25% Not available Not available
Pool points with friends and family Yes Yes No No
Annual summary statement Yes Yes No No
Visa Signature perks Yes Yes No, but may have access to Visa Infinite benefits No
Annual fee20 $0 $75 USD $120 – $150 CAD $35 – $65 USD
Additional card fee $0 $0 $30 – $50 CAD $0 – $30 USD
Foreign transaction fee None for U.S. purchases19 None for purchases globally19 2.5% – 3% for U.S. purchases None for U.S. purchases19
9
Transfer points across the border7 Yes Yes No No
24/7 concierge service Yes Yes Sometimes available No
Travel and emergency assistance23 Yes Yes Sometimes available Sometimes available
Roadside assistance Yes Yes Sometimes available Sometimes available
Trip cancellation or interruption Up to $5,000 Up to $5,000 Sometimes available
$500 — $2,500
Sometimes available
$2,500 — $5,000
Travel accident $500,000 $500,000 Typically $500,000 Typically $500,000
Lost luggage reimbursement Up to $3,000 Up to $3,000 Sometimes available Sometimes available
Auto rental collision damage waiver Yes Yes Sometimes available Sometimes available
Cellphone protection Up to $200 Up to $200 No No
Warranty manager service Yes Yes No No
Extended warranty protection Yes Yes Yes Yes
Purchase security Yes Yes Yes Yes

Apply for a cross-border banking bundle to get a no annual fee20 Visa‡ Signature Black credit card and we’ll waive the annual fee on your Direct Checking account for the first year.29 Offer ends October 31, 2024.

Learn More